News Sony A7 V Announced

[Tim Mayo]

After months and months of rumors we finally have the Sony A7 V

It features a new 33-megapixel semi-stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor, 30 fps continuous shooting with one second RAW+JPG pre-capture, and 4K 120p (Super 35) or 4K 60p (full-frame) video in 10-bit 4:2:2.

Gerald's review is worth a watch as always:

So, does this tempt anyone to upgrade their III or IV?

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Beast of a camera!
B&H has the body-only for $2900USD, or $3100 USD with 28-70 kit lens; right around the price I expected, maybe even a tad less.
The want is strong, but the funds are lower than everrr

 

[iamdlewis]

The want is strong, but the funds are lower than everrr

Easy solution put your wallet on the top shelf

 

[spudhead]

Easy solution put your wallet on the top shelf

If I put my wallet on the top shelf, my wife will empty it

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

It's a nice spec for sure, little speed machine.

 

[RogerSmith]

Looks great, hope folks who pre order enjoy it

 

[iamdlewis]

If I put my wallet on the top shelf, my wife will empty it

Hide the stool?

 

[BrianN]

After months and months of rumors we finally have the Sony A7 V

It features a new 33-megapixel semi-stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor, 30 fps continuous shooting with one second RAW+JPG pre-capture, and 4K 120p (Super 35) or 4K 60p (full-frame) video in 10-bit 4:2:2.

Gerald's review is worth a watch as always:

So, does this tempt anyone to upgrade their III or IV?

Placed a pre-order today

 

[BrianN]

I placed a pre-order today...been waiting patiently for it and not too much longer to wait.

For me the bulb timer, LCD articulated screen and increased resolution , IBIS, the dynamic range claim better battery health were some of the key features for me, it's a pity the viewfinder res wasn't upgraded also.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

I placed a pre-order today...been waiting patiently for it and not too much longer to wait.

For me the bulb timer, LCD articulated screen and increased resolution , IBIS, the dynamic range claim better battery health were some of the key features for me, it's a pity the viewfinder res wasn't upgraded also.

If you upgrade from an A6xxx or A7C-anything, the viewfinder is still an upgrade.

 

[BrianN]

If you upgrade from an A6xxx or A7C-anything, the viewfinder is still an upgrade.

I had the A7IV, I have seen the EvF on the A7rV and was hoping this would have it, however all the other updates are really good and when I do fast moving subjects it is certainly much better,

 

[AlphaWorld]

They say the EVF is the same res, but works better because it’s blackout-free - I can imagine that.

The camera sounds like a serious upgrade. We’ll hear gripes about it not having this or that, but it is the entry full-frame full-size body - it’s not going to have everything.

I have watched the first half of Mark Galer’s review, and I like his detailed explanation of the nuances of speed and how this camera’s sensor (my words, not his) may prove to be better than the specs say - his points about the dynamic range being a key differentiator were good.

I’m not going to buy one, but I can see it being a good choice for a lot of people.

If I were to be a nit-picker, the one thing I considered slightly disappointing was staying with one dual media slot instead of going to two.

BTW: so far I’ve seen almost no discussion of the “exciting” (not) new kit lens announced with it. I think they chose not to announce a high end lens with a mid-range camera, but rather announcing a lens that might be attractive to new buyers of this camera.

 

[BrianN]

They say the EVF is the same res, but works better because it’s blackout-free - I can imagine that.

The camera sounds like a serious upgrade. We’ll hear gripes about it not having this or that, but it is the entry full-frame full-size body - it’s not going to have everything.

I have watched the first half of Mark Galer’s review, and I like his detailed explanation of the nuances of speed and how this camera’s sensor (my words, not his) may prove to be better than the specs say - his points about the dynamic range being a key differentiator were good.

I’m not going to buy one, but I can see it being a good choice for a lot of people.

If I were to be a nit-picker, the one thing I considered slightly disappointing was staying with one dual media slot instead of going to two.

BTW: so far I’ve seen almost no discussion of the “exciting” (not) new kit lens announced with it. I think they chose not to announce a high end lens with a mid-range camera, but rather announcing a lens that might be attractive to new buyers of this camera.

Yeah I watched Marks video then then placed my pre-order, the EvF isn't a deal breaker I just thought it would be great given it's a better one in the A7rV. Overall I am delighted with it.

 

[Chris 3754]

Sony threw a lot of goodies into this package, definitely a leading camera at this level. Considering it is priced at half an a1ii, it’s a great compromise - and compromise is probably not the right word since this seems to be a winner. I would have to think Sony needed to walk the line between creating an industry leader at this price point without turning away potential a1ii owners who will pay $4k more for their cameras. Sony drove the industry with mirrorless and the a7 line, but lost a few steps as the other brands chipped away at them. This camera should put the a7 line clearly back in the lead.

I shot an ice hockey game this evening at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, then went out for dinner. The whole time thinking I was walking around with $14k of camera gear in my backpack. There are definitely times when a less expensive quality camera would work just about as well but make me breathe a bit easier.

To the points above, doesn’t matter where I hide the wallet, wife has the credit cards. But hey she just green-lighted a solo trip for my Army reunion in Germany this June so how can I complain about a few pairs of shoes.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Watched a handful of videos. Mark Galer does a full hour, a lot more detail, and has the point of view of a stills-priority photographer.

I have heard that a7iv is the favourite of Indian wedding photographers. Would they lay out an extra thousand dollars for a7v? I doubt it very much. But I know nothing about video... so maybe there is some killer spec for them in that.

When I bought my a7iv, two years ago, there was already plenty further up the tree. I spent 2k usd on the a7iv, when the a7Rv was there for 3k or 3.5k. a7v is now just another thing further up that tree. 2k seemed like a sane upper limit for me and still does. And it seemed to be buying a lot of camera. It's still a lot of camera and if I had the spending money I'd buy glass at this time.

For those who buying into the A7n range, and can afford it, it looks great.
For those who simply want an upgrade and can afford it, it looks great.

To those who have pre-ordered, or are going to, many congratulations, hope you get your cameras soon, and I look forward to hearing about them. Enjoy

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Galer.... Aaaaaaagh

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Galer.... Aaaaaaagh

Get's the job done, covers the details, doesn't try to be funny or to be a trendy young youtuber ...

 

[Uncle Kevriano]

Get's the job done, covers the details, doesn't try to be funny or to be a trendy young youtuber ...

I know, but paid Sony employee, so I can never take the review part seriously, great videos showing the features though

 

[Chris 3754]

Galer is a Sony paid guy but at least he doesn’t bash the competition while touting Sony products. I think he is very fair. In my useless opinion, I like his videos, but I have found other’s books to be more useful such as Gary Friedman and Steve Perry. To me at least, it seems Galer tells you his settings, while the others tell you their settings with a better explanation on the feature so you can better make your own settings choices based on your photography needs.

I agree completely with Thad on the a7iv being a top choice for wedding and event photographers. My wife laughs because I always get into a conversation with the photographer, especially when they shoot Sony. I had one young guy say that he would love to have an a1 but the owner of the company did not trust his people with a $6k plus camera. In siding with the owner, I haven’t seen too much fast action at weddings that would require the a1’s speed other than the bridesmaids fight during the bouquet toss .

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

I think he is very fair. In my useless opinion, I like his videos, but I have found other’s books to be more useful such as Gary Friedman and Steve Perry.

Agreed. I actually don't like his e-books at all. Every page is a huge graphic, hard and slow to handle, and, as you say, they describe implementing his methodology and settings.

If he is paid in cash (?) rather than just in opportunity, I think it is to educate people in the use of Sony equipment, and I think he does an excellent job of that, so I don't object to his rewards, whatever form they may take.

On the other hand, I would never only watch one person's videos. My best understanding of a7iv-generation auto eye/face autofocus grew out of a youtuber called something like Magic Wedding photographer.

If there is any money in the bank in the years that it takes the a7v to come down in price substantially (probably when there is an a7vi!) I can see myself being tempted.

On the other hand: I intend to drive my current 11-yr-old car until it dies or I do. And I'm not going to cry if the same thing happens with my my a7iv!

 

[Chris 3754]

Thad, fully agree. I always see the a7iv at events, more than any other camera so it must be doing something right. I had one and absolutely loved it. The only reason I upgraded to the a1ii was the speed for shooting ice hockey, not that the a7iv didn’t do a good job either. I found myself with a few dollars from handling my cousin’s estate and took it as a gift from him who also appreciated a nice camera. Otherwise I probably would have let the a7v dust settle and gone that route.

On a personal note I see the Indian flag in your icon. We have an OUTSTANDING Indian restaurant nearby and it’s absolutely my favorite ethnic food. We are eating there tonight!

 

[AlphaWorld]

I quite enjoyed Julia Trotti’s review - she spend a lot of time using the camera for what she does for a living, which is photographing people. I enjoy photographing people (some of the time) so I find her point of view very relevant. I watched others, and I was amused by Gerald Undone’s comments (especially the confession that he made a mistake about the Canon because he was reviewing the A7V in parallel…).

All up, I think is a solid first Sony camera for someone, especially for someone who won’t be buying a second one in a hurry - it looks perfectly competent at everything. Once someone is ready to step up (if they do - I can imagine someone being happy with this camera for quite a while), they might choose to add an A7R for res, or an A9 for speed (or LED lighting!), or an A1 for overall higher specs.

I won’t buy an A7V, but I run three cameras, and pick the one or two best suited to what I plan to photograph.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Gerald Undone, yes... Julia Trotti, yes...

They were the name I also picked out of the available videos when I happened to notice news that the camera had actually been announced.

Last couple of days was an exception. As my GAS levels are currently low, if I watch camera videos at all, these days, it tends to to be about what to photograph and how. Brand neutral. Martin Castein is a current favourite.

That or post-processing. Having my mind blown (and baffled) by Boris Hajdukovic's mastery of darktable. Regardless of the amount I don't understand, there are always crumbs that I can take away and use.

 

[Chris 3754]

I agree with AlphaWorld that the a7v is a solid first camera. When I got into photography in 1979, the guy at the Army post exchange camera desk recommended a Canon AE-1. The AE-1 was a high quality, easy to use, but left room for growth camera that I see similar to the a7 line and now in particular, the a7v. That camera introduced many to serious photography like the a7 series and became a great camera to stay with as well as a backup if the photographer progressed to Canon’s higher level cameras. There is an valid argument that the AE-1 changed the photography world, and I think years from now the a7 line will be viewed the same way.

 

[RogerSmith]

If we are talking reviewers, I always wait for Gordon Laing. He takes his time, never rushes a video, and gives a thorough review.

 

[THXGEEK]

Hide the stool?

Yet another reason why I enjoy being a single dude.

 

[THXGEEK]

... then went out for dinner. The whole time thinking I was walking around with $14k of camera gear in my backpack. There are definitely times when a less expensive quality camera would work just about as well but make me breathe a bit easier.

Agreed! This was part of my motivation for (re)acquiring the A7CR and the new Tamron 25-200.